With the recent cancellation of in-person legislative session days during February, Republican senators are preparing to start their new committee roles in a virtual setting for the start of the 102^nd General Assembly, according to State Sen. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy).

In other news, Republican lawmakers are voicing their concerns over a controversial new rule pending before the Joint Commission on Administrative Rules (JCAR) that will have a lasting impact on Illinois teachers and students.

Senate Republicans are also reviewing the input and notes provided by local law enforcement in recent Zoom meetings about House Bill 3653, the dangerous criminal justice reform proposal awaiting action by the Governor.

Also, Sen. Tracy is encouraging residents to donate Valentines to be distributed to people living in long-term care facilities in the 47^th District.

Republican lawmakers take on leadership roles in Senate committees

Senate Republicans have announced leadership appointments for Senate committees during the 102^nd General Assembly. The Minority Spokesperson serves as the primary Republican leader on each appointed committee, representing the caucus, and leading debates and discussions.

“We are lucky to have a caucus with such diverse expertise,” said Senate Republican Leader Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods). “Our state has many important issues to address this year, and our caucus is ready and well-equipped to put forward policy solutions that will get Illinois back to work.”

Minority Spokesperson appointments include:

• Sen. Bailey: Agriculture
• Sen. Curran: Assignments; Ethics
• Sen. Rose: Appropriations; Labor
• Sen. Bryant: Behavioral and Mental Health
• Sen. Rezin: Education; Energy & Public Utilities; Human Rights
• Sen. Tracy: Environment & Conservation; Judiciary
• Sen. Barickman: Ethics; Redistricting
• Sen. Plummer: Executive Appointments; Financial Institutions
• Sen. Svyerson: Health; Healthcare Access & Availability; Insurance
• Sen. Turner: Hospitality & Tourism
• Sen. Anderson: Licensed Activities; Public Safety
• Sen. Fowler: Higher Education; Commerce 
• Sen. Wilcox: Labor; Veterans Affairs
• Sen. Stewart: Pensions
• Sen. DeWitte: Revenue; Transportation
• Sen. McClure: Criminal Law
• Sen. Stoller: State Government

Controversial teaching rule pending before JCAR

Republican lawmakers are raising concerns about a new rule pending before JCAR that would create additional, unnecessary demands on teachers, would step away from knowledge-based learning, and would promote progressive political viewpoints in the classroom.

In December 2020, the Illinois State Board of Education approved a new rule for Illinois teachers called the “Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading Standards” (CRTL). This new rule creates a burdensome, confusing, and vague set of progressive requirements and standards that teachers will use to guide their teaching narrative. 

Main concerns contained within the new proposal include:

• The standards throughout the rule are extremely vague, overlooking substantive knowledge and performance indicators.
• While being perpetuated as standards to promote inclusivity, the new rule could actually threaten alternative viewpoints and silence the voices of many students and educators.
• This new rule requires teachers to take on a new role: activist nurturer. Unfortunately, there is no clear definition as to what that role will entail.
• This rule clearly seems designed to shift classrooms away from knowledge-based learning and move them toward promoting left-leaning political viewpoints.
• The standards are redundant in many ways, repealing and replacing existing rules that already require that teachers create an inclusive environment.

While Republican lawmakers support a positive learning environment where students can develop the ability to understand and interpret events and issues for themselves, and are respected for their differences, these standards are ambiguous and create demands on teachers that opponents say are not conducive to a healthy learning environment.

Sen. Tracy is encouraging constituents to voice their thoughts on the proposal by reaching out to members of JCAR or by signing her petition in opposition to the new CRTL standards. The petition is available at https://senatorjiltracy.com/News/1488/Sign-the-Petition-Oppose-ISBEs-rule-change/news-detail/

To read the full text of the CRTL standards, click here. Members of JCAR are expected to take up the new rule at their next scheduled meeting on Feb. 16.

Local law enforcement provide feedback

Sen. Tracy and many of her Senate colleagues have received feedback from local law enforcement after hosting Zoom video conferences recently about the controversial criminal justice reform proposal that is awaiting action from the Governor.

House Bill 3653 was rammed through lame-duck session with no Senate Republican support.

On Feb. 1, Sen. Tracy and State Sen. Steve McClure (R-Springfield) hosted a Zoom video conference for local law enforcement officers who live and work throughout western and central Illinois. An estimated 50 local police chiefs, police officers, sheriffs, deputies, and other public safety personnel participated and discussed the impact that House Bill 3653 will have on the law enforcement profession and ultimately community safety.

In the last two weeks, Senate Republicans have brought together almost 500 representatives of Illinois’ law enforcement community to discuss House Bill 3653. This radical proposal would change Illinois’ criminal justice system and impact how law enforcement professionals are able to perform their duties.

Major concerns voiced by law enforcement during the meetings include:

• Efforts being undertaken to eliminate cash bail;
• Financial burdens being placed on local police forces resulting from unfunded mandates;
• Concerns about enforcement of the law, including Class B or C misdemeanors;
• Not being allowed the opportunity to have input in crafting the legislation;
• Ongoing concerns and potential threat to qualified immunity;
• Restrictions being placed on law enforcement officers, including not allowing officers to review body camera footage before writing a report.

Forced through the Senate and the House of Representatives, House Bill 3653 now sits on the Governor’s desk. Please continue to voice your opposition by contacting the Governor’s office and telling him DO NOT SIGN House Bill 3653. Contact Gov. Pritzker’s office at https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/gov/contactus/Pages/VoiceAnOpinion.aspx

Senate Republicans hope to use the upcoming spring session to renegotiate criminal justice reform and help draft a bipartisan proposal that can be properly vetted by all citizens and stakeholders.

Help uplift spirits of residents in long-term care facilities

Sen. Tracy is asking 47^th District residents to join with her to help uplift the spirits of people living in long-term care facilities by sending Valentine’s Day cards.

Community members, churches, schools, and other groups may participate in the program by dropping off Valentine’s Day cards or mailing them to Sen. Tracy’s legislative offices in Quincy and Macomb. Valentine’s Day cards will be accepted through Feb. 10. Once the cards have been collected, they will be delivered to residents of the various long-term care facilities in communities across the 47^th District.

“2020 was tough for us all, but people living in long-term care facilities have been especially isolated out of concern for their health during the pandemic,” said Sen. Tracy. “For their own safety, the residents of these facilities have not been allowed much physical contact with their families and friends, leaving them quite lonely. Our program will let them know that we care about them.” 

Participants will have the option to either mail their cards to, or drop them off at, Sen. Tracy’s district offices at 3701 East Lake Centre Drive, Suite 3, Quincy, IL  62305; or 331 N. Lafayette Street, Macomb, IL  61455. For those choosing in-person delivery, please remember to maintain social distancing and to wear masks when entering the offices.

Contact Helen Mayfield at hmayfield@adams.net for more information, or to indicate interest in participating.